Filter leak path prevention via interference pin

ABSTRACT

A replacement filter element having a removable pin attached to the filter element is described. The removable pin is attached to the filter element via a first interference fit. When the replacement filter element is installed into a filtration system having a drain valve with an internal draft, the removable pin seals onto the drain valve and forms a second interference fit between the drain valve and the pin. The pin seals an opening in the drain valve. The second interference fit is stronger than the first interference. Accordingly, when the replacement filter element is removed from the filter housing (e.g., during a service event of the replacement filter element), the pin detaches from the replacement filter element and remains positioned within the drain valve thereby preventing fluid from leaking from the housing when the filter element is removed. The pin permanently plugs the drain valve once installed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of PCT Application No.PCT/US2015/064972, filed Dec. 10, 2015, which claims priority to andbenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/095,227, “FILTERLEAK PATH PREVENTION VIA INTERFERENCE PIN,” and filed on Dec. 22, 2014.The contents of both applications are herein incorporated by referencein their entirety and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to filtration systems having areplaceable filter element.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines generally combust a mixture of fuel (e.g.,gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) and air. Prior to entering theengine, the intake air, fuel, and other fluids are typically passedthrough filtration systems to remove contaminants from the fluids (e.g.,dust, water, oil, etc.) from the fluids. The filter elements requireperiodic replacement as the filter media of the filter elements capturesand removes contaminants from the fluids passing through the filtermedia. In some cases, certain measures are taken by original filtrationsystem manufacturers to ensure that only one brand of replacement filterelements are used. These measures include the inclusion of no filter norun features (also referred to as “NFNR” features) in filtrationsystems. The no filter no run features are designed such that thefiltration system will only run properly with a genuine filter element.The use of a non-genuine replacement filter element may affect theoperation of the filtration system despite the fact that the quality ofthe replacement filter element will provide the necessary protection tothe internal combustion engine.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment relates to a replacement filter element. Thefilter element includes filter media and a bottom endcap. A removablepin is coupled to the bottom endcap via a first interference fit. Theremovable pin is sized and shaped to be received in an open passagewayof a drain valve of a filtration system when the replacement filterelement is installed in the filtration system. The removable pin forms asecond interference fit with the drain valve when the replacement filterelement is installed in the filtration system such that the removablepin will stay in the drain valve when the replacement filter element isremoved from the filtration system.

Another example embodiment relates to a filtration system. Thefiltration system includes a mounting head, a filter housing removablycoupled to the mounting head, and a drain valve coupled to the filterhousing. The drain valve includes an open passageway that allows fluidto exit the housing through the drain valve when the open passageway isnot blocked by a genuine element installed in the filtration system. Thefiltration system further includes a replacement filter element havingfilter media, an endcap, and a removable pin coupled to the endcap via afirst interference fit. The removable pin is sized and shaped to bereceived in the open passageway of the drain valve when the replacementfilter element is installed in the filtration system. The removable pinforms a second interference fit with the drain valve when thereplacement filter element is installed in the filtration system suchthat the removable pin will separate from the endcap and remain in thedrain valve when the replacement filter element is removed from thefiltration system.

A further example embodiment relates to a method of servicing afiltration system having a no filter no run feature. The method includesproviding a filtration system having a drain valve including the nofilter no run feature. The no filter no run feature includes an openpassageway that allows fluid to exit the housing through the drain valvewhen the open passageway is not blocked by a genuine element installedin the filtration system. The method further includes providing areplacement filter element including filter media, an endcap, and aremovable pin coupled to the endcap via a first interference fit. Themethod includes installing the replacement filter element in thefiltration system such that the removable pin is inserted into the openpassageway and forms a second interference fit with the open passagewaythereby plugging the open passageway.

These and other features, together with the organization and manner ofoperation thereof, will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filtration system according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filtration system of FIG. 1without a filter element installed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the filtration system ofFIG. 1 having a replacement filter element installed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filtration system of FIG. 1 withthe replacement filter element of FIGS. 3A and 3B removed.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom endcap of the replacementfilter element of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIGS. 6A through 6C are a sequence of drawings showing a first fit withthe replacement filter element of FIGS. 3A and 3B in filtration systemof FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A through 7C are a sequence of drawings showing a filterreplacement service after the first fit of FIGS. 6A through 6B for thefiltration system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures generally, a replacement filter element havinga removable pin attached to the filter element is described. Theremovable pin is attached to the filter element via a first interferencefit. When the replacement filter element is installed into a filtrationsystem having a drain valve with an internal draft, the removable pinseals onto the drain valve and forms a second interference fit betweenthe drain valve and the pin. The pin seals an opening in the drainvalve. The second interference fit formed between the drain valve andthe pin is stronger than the first interference fit formed between thepin and the replacement filter element. Accordingly, when thereplacement filter element is removed from the filter housing (e.g.,during a service event of the replacement filter element), the pindetaches from the replacement filter element and remains positionedwithin the drain valve thereby preventing fluid from leaking from thehousing when the filter element is removed. The pin permanently plugsthe drain valve once installed.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of a filtration system 100is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The filtration system 100includes a no filter no run feature built into a drain valve 102 of thefilter housing 104. The filter housing 104 is removably coupled to afilter system mounting head 114 (e.g., via a threaded connection). Theno filter no run feature in the drain valve 102 includes an openpassageway 106 that allows fluid (e.g., fuel, oil, etc.) to exit thehousing 104 through the drain valve 102 when the open passageway 106 isnot blocked by a genuine filter element. As shown in FIG. 1, a genuinefilter element 108 is positioned within the housing 104. The genuinefilter element 108 includes a bottom endcap 110. The bottom endcap 110includes a cover 112 that closes the open passageway 106 of the drainvalve 102. Accordingly, when the genuine filter element 108 is installedin the housing 104, the fluid cannot exit the housing 104 through thedrain valve 102. A non-genuine filter element does not include thebottom endcap 110 having the cover 112. Accordingly, the use of anon-genuine filter element does not stop fluid from exiting the housing104 through the drain valve 102.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the filtration system 100is shown without a filter element installed. As shown in FIG. 2, when nofilter element is installed (or when a non-genuine filter element isinstalled), the fluid can exit the housing 104 through the drain valvebecause the open passageway 106 is not plugged.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, cross-sectional views of the filtrationsystem 100 having a replacement filter element 300 installed are shown.The replacement filter element 300 includes a bottom endcap 302 and aremovable pin 304. The replacement filter element 300 also includesfilter media 306. The removable pin 304 is secured to the bottom endcap302 by a first interference fit. The removable pin 304 is sized andshaped to be received in the open passageway 106 of the drain valve 102.When the replacement filter element 300 is installed in the housing 104,the removable pin 304 is received in the open passageway 106 and forms asecond interference fit with the open passageway 106 such that theremovable pin 304 seals and plugs the open passageway 106. Accordingly,the removable pin 304 prevents fluid from draining through the drainvalve 102. The second interference fit is stronger than the firstinterference fit. Accordingly, when the replacement filter element 300is removed from the filtration system, the removable pin 304 remains inthe open passageway 106 and continues to plug the open passageway 106after removal of the replacement filter element 300.

The bottom endcap 302 includes a cylindrical extension 306 extendingfrom the bottom endcap 302. The cylindrical extension 306 is shown bestin FIG. 5. The cylindrical extension 306 includes a cylindrical wall 502that defines a central opening. The removable pin 304 is positionedwithin the central opening. The cylindrical wall 502 at least partiallycircumscribes the removable pin 304. The removable pin 304 and thecylindrical extension 306 are axially aligned along a central axis 504of the filter element 300. The cylindrical extension 306 is configuredto fit around the drain valve 102, which helps to center the removablepin 304 with respect to the open passageway 106 during installation ofthe filter element 300 (as shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C).

Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the filtration system 100with the replacement filter element 300 removed is shown. As shown inFIG. 4, when the replacement filter element 300 is removed, the pin 304remains installed in the open passageway 106. The pin 304 breaks awayfrom the filter element because the second interference fit is strongerthan the first interference fit. The pin 304 will remain permanentlyattached within the drain valve 102. Accordingly, the pin 304 preventsfluid from leaking from the housing 104 even when a filter element isnot installed in the housing. Further, the pin 304 permits the use ofother non-genuine filter elements that are not designed to plug the openpassageway 106.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the bottom endcap 302 isshown. As discussed above, the bottom endcap 302 includes the removablepin 304. The removable pin 304 is secured to the bottom endcap 302through an interference fit.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, a sequence of drawings showing a first fitwith the replacement filter element 300 in filtration system 100 isshown from the perspective of a technician servicing the filtrationsystem 100. First, the technician inspects the filter housing 104 anddetermines that the open passageway 106 of the drain valve 102 is notplugged (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6A). Next, the technician installs thereplacement filter element 300 into the housing 104 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 6B). The replacement filter element 300 includes the removable pin304, which will plug the open passageway 106 when the filter element 300is fully installed within the housing 104. In some arrangements, thetechnician installs a new drain valve 602 into an opening 604 within thehousing 104. The new drain valve 602 may include a water in fuel (WIF)sensor. The filtration system 100 is then ready for operation.

FIGS. 7A-7C represent a sequence of drawings showing a filterreplacement service after the first fit (e.g., as described above withrespect to FIGS. 6A-6C). In the filter replacement service, the oldreplacement filter element 300 is removed. The technician inspects thefilter housing 104 to verify that the open passageway of the drain valve102 is already plugged by the existing pin 304 (e.g., the openpassageway 106 is not visible in FIG. 7A because it is plugged). Next,prior to installation of a new replacement filter element 300, thetechnician removes the pin 304 from the replacement filter element 300(e.g., as shown in FIG. 7B). The pin 304 is held in place by aninterference fit, and the pin 304 is removable. The replacement filterelement 300 is then installed in the housing 104 without the pin 304(e.g., as shown in FIG. 7C).

The permanent placement of the pin 304 within the open passageway 106allows the filtration system 100 to accept other filter elements nothaving the appropriate features to interact with the original no filterno run features of the filtration system 100.

It should be noted that the terms “example” and “exemplary” as usedherein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that suchembodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrationsof possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote thatsuch embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled” and the like as used herein mean the joining of twomembers directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may bestationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable orreleasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement ofthe various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filtration system comprising: a mounting head;a filter housing removably coupled to the mounting head; a drain valvecoupled to the filter housing, the drain valve including an openpassageway that allows fluid to exit the housing through the drain valvewhen the open passageway is not blocked by a genuine element installedin the filtration system; and a replacement filter element having filtermedia, an endcap, and a removable pin coupled to the endcap via a firstinterference fit, the removable pin sized and shaped to be received inthe open passageway of the drain valve when the replacement filterelement is installed in the filtration system, the removable pin forminga second interference fit with the drain valve when the replacementfilter element is installed in the filtration system such that theremovable pin will separate from the endcap and remain in the drainvalve when the replacement filter element is removed from the filtrationsystem.
 2. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the secondinterference fit is stronger than the first interference fit.
 3. Thefiltration system of claim 1, wherein the endcap further comprises acylindrical extension extending from the endcap.
 4. The filtrationsystem of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical extension includes acylindrical wall that defines a central opening.
 5. The filtrationsystem of claim 4, wherein the removable pin is positioned within thecentral opening.
 6. The filtration system of claim 4, wherein thecylindrical wall at least partially circumscribes the removable pin.